I had my monthly Zometa infusion yesterday; and felt quite achy the rest of the day. I feel reasonably good today. It seems, however, that the achy-feelings go away within two days. Zometa infusion (counting preliminary bloodwork) takes about 1 1/2 hours, which is just time to read a magazine or two.
I have learned not to take Zometa on the same day as Velcade chemo. If I have to take both, I would just choose separate days.
If there are any other Zometa users out there reading this blog; what has been your experience?
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
October 4, 2009
In 1986, I took out an cancer insurance policy. I did this because both of my parents had come down with cancer. My father had died of it; but my mother survived eventually dying of heart failure some 29 years later at age 94.
Such a policy is generally not recommended by consumer advocates; however, with a family history of cancer, I went ahead and took out the policy 23 years ago. So for 23 years, I made annual premium payments.
Of course, I did not know that I would contract MM; however, once I contracted the disease, I did submit a claim about two weeks ago for my treatments to date and my claim was quickly paid. The payout was approximately equal to 10 years of annual premiums and is about twice my out-of-pocket expenses to date. My total medical expenses for everything related to my MM now total about $60,000; however, virtually all of this has been paid insurance and my out-of-pocket expenses (including dedcutibles) are less than $1000.
The claim forms were somewhat complicated; but the instructions were good; and if one reads them carefully, they are straightforward.
Since I am only in partial remission, it is likely that I will be submitting additional claims in the future.
For the readers of this blog, I would simply say that if there is a history of cancer in your family, then obtaining a cancer insurance policy might be prudent. What you get from such a policy is method of paying your deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.
Such a policy is generally not recommended by consumer advocates; however, with a family history of cancer, I went ahead and took out the policy 23 years ago. So for 23 years, I made annual premium payments.
Of course, I did not know that I would contract MM; however, once I contracted the disease, I did submit a claim about two weeks ago for my treatments to date and my claim was quickly paid. The payout was approximately equal to 10 years of annual premiums and is about twice my out-of-pocket expenses to date. My total medical expenses for everything related to my MM now total about $60,000; however, virtually all of this has been paid insurance and my out-of-pocket expenses (including dedcutibles) are less than $1000.
The claim forms were somewhat complicated; but the instructions were good; and if one reads them carefully, they are straightforward.
Since I am only in partial remission, it is likely that I will be submitting additional claims in the future.
For the readers of this blog, I would simply say that if there is a history of cancer in your family, then obtaining a cancer insurance policy might be prudent. What you get from such a policy is method of paying your deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.
Friday, October 2, 2009
October 2, 2009
Have received the results of latest blood work that was done on September 23, 2009.
Igg is down to 1413 mg/l from 1575 mg/l; that's good and Igg is now in the normal range.
M-spike is reported as 0.1 g/dl; however the lab report narrative suggests that the actual M-spike is 1.0 g/dl. I need to follow through on this to verify which value is correct. Even if 1.0 g/dl is correct, it still will be a decline from the 8/25/2009 value of 1.1; this is about a 9.1% decline.
Total protein is 7.1 g/dl, which is a decline from 7.3 g/dl; this is an improvement.
Igg is down to 1413 mg/l from 1575 mg/l; that's good and Igg is now in the normal range.
M-spike is reported as 0.1 g/dl; however the lab report narrative suggests that the actual M-spike is 1.0 g/dl. I need to follow through on this to verify which value is correct. Even if 1.0 g/dl is correct, it still will be a decline from the 8/25/2009 value of 1.1; this is about a 9.1% decline.
Total protein is 7.1 g/dl, which is a decline from 7.3 g/dl; this is an improvement.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
September 30, 2009
Update:
It is 4:30 and I wide-awake as Tuesday was my dex day. I end up watching TV and Internet surfing. I should sleep ok tonight and be fully rested by Thursday.
Well it has been 6 months since my official diagnosis on March 30, 2009. I first went to the family doc on February 23; but testing and the bone marrow biospy took several weeks.
I still do not have the results of the latest M-spike, Igg, Kappa LC blood tests that were collected on September 23.
I am feeling generally ok except for weakness in the legs and will try and start walking again today. Last year in late August, I spent a week hiking at high altitudes in the Tetons willout any difficulty; a year later, I waddled like a duck. However, with being off Velcade for 2 1/2 months, the neuropathy has diminished and my walking is improved; but still a long way to go.
It is 4:30 and I wide-awake as Tuesday was my dex day. I end up watching TV and Internet surfing. I should sleep ok tonight and be fully rested by Thursday.
Well it has been 6 months since my official diagnosis on March 30, 2009. I first went to the family doc on February 23; but testing and the bone marrow biospy took several weeks.
I still do not have the results of the latest M-spike, Igg, Kappa LC blood tests that were collected on September 23.
I am feeling generally ok except for weakness in the legs and will try and start walking again today. Last year in late August, I spent a week hiking at high altitudes in the Tetons willout any difficulty; a year later, I waddled like a duck. However, with being off Velcade for 2 1/2 months, the neuropathy has diminished and my walking is improved; but still a long way to go.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
September 24, 2009
I went to see the O/H yesterday. CBC bloodwork was within the normal range; but generally at the lower end of normal. The results of Igg, M-spike, and Kappa LC should be forthcoming in a couple of days.
I have been off velcade since July 11; but have continued to take Dexamethsome (10 mg/week). Neuropathy has lessened somewhat since last post and it is easier to walk.
The general plan is that if Igg, M-spike, and Kappa LC drop, I will stay off velcade; if these parameters stay about the same or increase, I will go back on velcade; but a reduced rate. IV Infusions on days 1 and 8 and then restart on day 22; with monitoring every on day 22.
Zometa will continue on monthly basis; I generally have achey bones 2-3 days after zometa; but that appears the only side effect.
I have been off velcade since July 11; but have continued to take Dexamethsome (10 mg/week). Neuropathy has lessened somewhat since last post and it is easier to walk.
The general plan is that if Igg, M-spike, and Kappa LC drop, I will stay off velcade; if these parameters stay about the same or increase, I will go back on velcade; but a reduced rate. IV Infusions on days 1 and 8 and then restart on day 22; with monitoring every on day 22.
Zometa will continue on monthly basis; I generally have achey bones 2-3 days after zometa; but that appears the only side effect.
Friday, September 11, 2009
September 11,2009
When I came down with MM, there were other minor miscellaneous medical issues that I needed to address:
DRY MOUTH: I now have my teeth professionally cleaned once every three months and use Biotene toothpaste, mouthwash, and a gel to keep gums wet. This stuff is expensive; however, if it prevents a problem on down the line, then it is worth it. I also brush several times during the day. So far, no problems.
MINOR ACHES AND PAINS: Lately, my legs have been achey and I still have hot and cold feet from the neuropathy. My physician gave me a prescription for Tramadol, which is a low-level narcotic, about one step above Tylenol. Tramadol keeps the edge off the minor aches and pains and helps me sleep at night.
VISION: I had my eyes checked by a retina specialist: I have minor cataracts; but I will deal with this later.
MINOR INFECTIONS: I developed a minor infection of the testes and the urologist gave me a prescription for Ciproflaxin (which is free). If I hadn't had MM, I probably would have just let this go; but I am concerned than my inmunce system, which is still ok, might weaken and a lingering minor infection could be a problem.
NEUROPATHY: Neuropathy in feet is handled by an over-the-counter sports cream and hot soaky baths.
CONSTIPATION: Prior to going on chemo, I was rarely constipated (perhaps every other year or so); now I use a stool softener, when I am on chemo or Zometa. This seems to prevent problems.
FLU: Flu shots (not swine flu) will be available here on October 1 and I will get the shot (about $25.00) on that day. I had some bad bouts with the flu back in the past; but once I started taking flu shots, I haven't had the flu.
I have now been off chemo for two months now and neuropathy is lessening; it is my general impression (quite unscientific) that it takes about one month of no chemo to offset one velcade cycle.
DRY MOUTH: I now have my teeth professionally cleaned once every three months and use Biotene toothpaste, mouthwash, and a gel to keep gums wet. This stuff is expensive; however, if it prevents a problem on down the line, then it is worth it. I also brush several times during the day. So far, no problems.
MINOR ACHES AND PAINS: Lately, my legs have been achey and I still have hot and cold feet from the neuropathy. My physician gave me a prescription for Tramadol, which is a low-level narcotic, about one step above Tylenol. Tramadol keeps the edge off the minor aches and pains and helps me sleep at night.
VISION: I had my eyes checked by a retina specialist: I have minor cataracts; but I will deal with this later.
MINOR INFECTIONS: I developed a minor infection of the testes and the urologist gave me a prescription for Ciproflaxin (which is free). If I hadn't had MM, I probably would have just let this go; but I am concerned than my inmunce system, which is still ok, might weaken and a lingering minor infection could be a problem.
NEUROPATHY: Neuropathy in feet is handled by an over-the-counter sports cream and hot soaky baths.
CONSTIPATION: Prior to going on chemo, I was rarely constipated (perhaps every other year or so); now I use a stool softener, when I am on chemo or Zometa. This seems to prevent problems.
FLU: Flu shots (not swine flu) will be available here on October 1 and I will get the shot (about $25.00) on that day. I had some bad bouts with the flu back in the past; but once I started taking flu shots, I haven't had the flu.
I have now been off chemo for two months now and neuropathy is lessening; it is my general impression (quite unscientific) that it takes about one month of no chemo to offset one velcade cycle.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
September 1, 2009
I have received the results of 8/25/2009 lab work. WBC = 6.10 (ok); hemoglobin = 16.3 (ok); hematocrit = 45.7 (ok); platelet count = 297 (ok); RBC 4.77 (ok); calcium in blood = 9.8 (ok); creatinine = 0.89 (ok).
Igg = 1575 (high, up from 1462 on 7/28/2009); M-spike = 1.1 (down from 1.2 on 7/28/2009); Kappa LC =27.4 (about the same as 26.5 on 7/18/2009). Kappa/Lamba ratio, however, has improved to 17.13. In summary after 6-weeks without chemo, the lab values have not changed significantly and I will continue for another month just taking the dexamethsome pills once a week. I restarted Zometa today and will continue on a once a month basis for the next two months.
Keeping off the Velcade for anothe month should allow the neuropathy to improve; there has been a noticeable improvement over the last two weeks; hopefully I can expect similar improvement in the future.
Achy legs, knees, ankles, and leg weakness continue to be the only symptoms of my mm.
Igg = 1575 (high, up from 1462 on 7/28/2009); M-spike = 1.1 (down from 1.2 on 7/28/2009); Kappa LC =27.4 (about the same as 26.5 on 7/18/2009). Kappa/Lamba ratio, however, has improved to 17.13. In summary after 6-weeks without chemo, the lab values have not changed significantly and I will continue for another month just taking the dexamethsome pills once a week. I restarted Zometa today and will continue on a once a month basis for the next two months.
Keeping off the Velcade for anothe month should allow the neuropathy to improve; there has been a noticeable improvement over the last two weeks; hopefully I can expect similar improvement in the future.
Achy legs, knees, ankles, and leg weakness continue to be the only symptoms of my mm.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
